“For Millions of Families, Pets Are Part of the Family and in Disaster-Prone States Like Florida, Families Often Won’t Evacuate If They Can’t Bring Them, Putting Lives at Risk.”
Legislation Expands Use of Existing Emergency Funds to Improve Animal Evacuation and Sheltering
WASHINGTON — Congressman Vern Buchanan, co-chair of the Animal Protection Caucus and co-chair of the 30-member bipartisan Florida congressional delegation, recently joined Representatives Brian Mast (R-Fla.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.) and Judy Chu (D-Cal) to introduce the bipartisan Providing Essential Temporary Shelter Assistance for Emergencies (PETSAFE) Act. Senator Adam Schiff introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
The PETSAFE Act aims to strengthen emergency preparedness for companion animals. During hurricanes, wildfires and other emergencies, families are often forced to evacuate with little notice. For pet owners, evacuation can present an impossible choice: leave their pets behind or stay home and risk their own safety. Too often, families choose the latter, endangering themselves and complicating rescue efforts for first responders. The bill addresses these challenges by expanding the allowable use of existing emergency management grants so state and local governments can better prepare for animal evacuation, sheltering, veterinary care, training and specialized rescue equipment during disasters.
“For millions of families, pets are part of the family and in disaster-prone states like Florida, families often won’t evacuate if they can’t bring them, putting lives at risk,” said Buchanan. “The PETSAFE Act improves preparedness and removes unnecessary cost barriers, so states and local governments have the flexibility they need to protect animals, families and first responders during hurricanes and other emergencies. As co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, I am proud to join Congressman Brian Mast in leading this commonsense, bipartisan effort.”
“When we plan better for animals, we save human lives too,” said Mast. “This bill helps communities prepare smarter, respond faster, and keep families together when disaster strikes.”
“Protecting pets during disasters is not just compassionate, it is responsible. As an original supporter of the bipartisan PETSAFE Act, I am advancing a practical, lifesaving approach that helps families evacuate safely without leaving their furry friends behind,” said Titus.
“When the Eaton Fire tore through my district, so many families were forced into an impossible choice. As a result, many families delayed evacuating because they couldn’t bear to leave their pets behind. Thankfully, local shelters and community members across California stepped up to care for animals of all kinds that had to be relocated out of the fire’s path,” said Chu. “Disasters like these make it clear that emergency planning must also account for the safety and wellbeing of pets. That’s why I’m teaming up with Representative Brian Mast and Senator Adam Schiff to introduce the PETSAFE Act. Our bill would ensure that state and local governments can utilize FEMA grant money to purchase the resources they need to protect animals during disasters,” she added.
“Our pets are part of our families, and when disaster strikes, it’s important that communities have the resources to ensure they aren’t left behind. I’m proud to partner with Representative Brian Mast to reintroduce this legislation which will help us protect our animals during major disasters and emergencies,” said Schiff.
The legislation is supported by the ASPCA, Florida State Animal Response Coalition, Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations, Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Florida Animal Protection and Advocacy Association, Flagler Humane Society and the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.
“Americans consider their pets to be a part of the family, and many won’t evacuate during an emergency without them. Empowering communities to include animals in emergency response plans is critical to preventing further devastation and helps save the lives of animals, families, and first responders,” said Daniel Leonardini, director of federal legislation for the ASPCA. “We are grateful to Representatives Mast and Titus for introducing the PETSAFE Act to give communities the tools they need to better prepare and care for pets before, during, and after disasters, which will ease the burden on already overwhelmed shelters and ensure taxpayer dollars are used more effectively.”
“Animal shelters in Florida and across the country are constantly operating at capacity regarding animals in their care daily. When disaster strikes a community, animal shelters bear the burden for animal care during disaster response. Our organization provides sheltering services for pets of first responders, those living in mandatory evacuation zones, and stray animals that have been displaced. The PETSAFE Act is critical legislation that will help communities across Florida better prepare, respond, and recover from disasters and ensure that we have the resources needed to care for our beloved companions,” said Frank Valente, President and CEO of the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.
Under current law, many animal preparedness efforts are limited by high local cost-share requirements. The PETSAFE Act lowers that barrier by increasing the federal cost share for eligible companion-animal preparedness activities from 50 percent to 90 percent, making it more affordable for communities to put comprehensive plans in place. By strengthening preparedness before emergencies occur, the bill ensures communities have the tools, supplies, and coordination needed to execute safe, organized evacuations that protect pets, their owners and emergency personnel alike.
Buchanan is a longtime bipartisan leader on animal welfare and disaster preparedness. His legislation to ban animal cruelty and torture nationwide was signed into law in 2019, one of the most significant federal animal-protection reforms in U.S. history. As co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus and co-chair of the Florida congressional delegation, Buchanan has supported hurricane recovery efforts and commonsense policies that protect animals, families and first responders during emergencies.
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